Category: Dear Dad

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following karen and her adventures

Karen's very social world
reflecting on Karen's very social world of 2009

My  daughter Karen is a social animal and very unlike me she maneuvers life’s social mine fields with finesse and aplomb.  So it really doesn’t surprise me that she fits so well in the world of social media and public relations. This year she traveled to Greece, the Netherlands, Boston and San Francisco making professional presentations in her area and everywhere she tempted me with pictures of the cultural treasures and the cuisine.

When I was younger I loved the old James Bond films as they took you to places you may not have visited and helped you explore parts of the world in a much more fun way than a dry National Geographic film tour. However, now I have something so much better, following Karen and Kristin’s adventures.

Thanks for sharing, ladies…. see you soon and on facebook.

Dad

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looking forward to 2010

Here's Looking at 2010
Here's Looking at 2010

I guess I am the perpetual optimist because I always look forward to the next year, next birthday and even the next football season…. even though my teams suffered a bit this year.

This is a special holiday season for me… getting everyone together in this busy world is often challenging at best.

So, Happy Holidays to all and a wonderful 2010.

Roger

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we are all so different

Karla has a humourous take on differences in personality
Karla has a humourous take on differences in personality

Our daughter Karla has an innocent sense of humor that isn’t too often far from the mark. However, don’t think it weak of me, but I also found the ‘dipping of the shoe’ unsettling in ‘Who framed Roger Rabbit”, too.

Thanks Karla, you made me smile.

Roger

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when daughters go rogue

Kristin doing one of her many things well
Kristin doing one of her many things well

What’s wrong with this picture? Kristin is having a ball, while I sit and try to detect the mysteries of a traditional Sifnos Honey pie with Myzithra cheese? Actually, we are each doing what we love, besides she loves to cook and she and Karen will be with us soon for Christmas!

I do enjoy  FACEBOOK if for no other reason that it provides a wonderful glimpse into the lives of family. Kristin posted some of these pictures today on Facebook and I could hear her mother screech!

Greece hom of wonderfully healthy and delicious food!
Greece -- home of wonderfully healthy and delicious food!

Back to the Greek Honey Pie called Melopitta, the traditional Easter treat of the island of Sifnos! Searching for authentic ingredients for “Melopitta” is challenging. Most of the knock-off recipes substitute the Greek cheese  Myzithra (μυζήθρα, pronounced mee-ZEETH-rah) with Ricotta, Mascarpone or even Cottage cheese… but it is far closer to cream cheese in practical use. There are also many ‘cheesecake’ variations utilizing Myzithra with brandy, fruit and nuts.

Enough, it is lunch time with some wine and Tiropetes!

Roger

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what are you baking right now?

Holidays are for cooking and baking!
Holidays are for cooking and baking & sharing!

Well, nothing brings our family together faster than talk about what’s to make, bake and cook! I think there is something in the untold common family experience that centers around the fire and sharing and consuming a good meal. You really learn about people when you work with them over the fire in a barbecue or in a kitchen.

This holiday season we have a lot planned some are events with themes for fun:

our GREEK NIGHT

the wines (whites & reds and a sweet):

(special note: Greek  wines — other than Retsina — are tough to find, allow me to recommend wine.com)

Boutari 2007 Santorini ( before the meal)
Boutari 2007 Moschofilero
Boutari 2006 Naoussa
Archaia Clauss Mavrodaphne

the food:

Tiropetes (Greek Cheese filled philo)

Dolmades ( delicious grape vines stuffed with rice and meat)

Moussaka ( a sort of Greek Lasagna with layers of thinly slices and cooked eggplant and custard topping)

Baklava ( nothing else will do)

Honey Pie ( a secret recipe — a favorite from one of the Greek Islands)

Karla wants something to do with a Rabbit this season and everyone wants Turducken, a wide assortment of pies and even a Baked Alaska is also on the list. I am always amazed at how so much can be prepared and then it’s gone! We are planning some fun with Kristin, Karen and some friends with my sweet and spicy ribs and Mom’s favorite Chinese sweet & sour pork.

lots to do and lots of fun!

Roger